Byte Night means I can make a difference

As an IT professional working for Atradius in Cardiff Bay, Kathy Buckley is all too familiar with high levels of pressure in her role as senior information security officer with the internationally renowned insurance services company.

Having been appointed in May last year, Kathy also now sits on the Byte Night Wales board as part of the UK’s largest sponsored sleep out to raise funds for Action for Children projects that help prevent youth homelessness.

Kathy’s motivation for getting involved with Byte Night is clear. She said: ‘I’ve worked very hard in my profession and there is definitely pressure but I’m also very aware how fortunate I am. The pressure I face daily is radically different to a young person facing life on the streets if they can’t pay their rent or have to flee a chaotic home life.

‘It’s so important to have an awareness of living cheek by jowl with those who face a challenge just getting a safe place to call home. Byte Night has made me realise you don’t have to sigh and say how awful it is, you can actually help do something about it.’
See why Kathy chose to sleep out for Byte Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KOLYp4FGv8
Byte Night returns to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday October 6th with Welsh professionals working in business and IT-related sectors being set the challenge of spending a night exposed to the elements. An incredible £1.2 million was raised in the UK by over 1,200 sleepers in 2016 with Wales playing its part for the first time.

Kathy added: ‘I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of the young people that Action for Children has supported and hear their inspiring stories first-hand. It’s genuinely moving to listen to their experiences and how they’ve come through and made something of their lives.

‘I feel privileged to be on the board for this brilliant annual event in Wales and I’m determined to make my mark. I’ve already put together the biggest team so far and I’m even doing a triathlon for Byte Night in the autumn. There so much people can do and I’m passionate about raising as much money and awareness as possible for the brilliant work Action for Children does.’

Barclays, KPMG, Spindogs, BT, Acorn, Capgemini, Capital Networks and Atradius are just some of the businesses who have already signed up teams to brave an October night under the stars for Byte Night Wales.

If you would like to find out more about Byte Night, please visit www.bytenight.org.uk or contact the Byte Night team on bytenight@actionforchildren.org.uk